Vernon Davis lead all non-running backs with a YAC of 8.2 in 2008. The closest receiver was Bernard Berrian at 6.83 YAC. This translates into 71% of VD's 11.5 receiving average comes with the ball in his hands. That is impressive. Based on this he is just as explosive as a RB with the ball in his hands. The closest receiver is Bernard Berrian who ranked 20th overall in average YAC.

Vernon Davis' issue seems to be his ability to convert targeted passes into 1st downs. He only converted 1st downs on 29% of all passes he was the targeted, compared to an average of 41% for all other tight ends listed.

He did catch 62% of passes he was targeted on which is comparable to Tony Gonzalez (targeted 3X as much as Vernon), but well short of the 75% converted by Chris Cooley.

What this tells me is Vernon should never get the ball on 3rd down as he is not reliable. However, on 1st and 2nd down close to the line of scrimmage their might not be a better TE. His explosiveness is just as evident as his lack of deep receiving skills. If we use him close to the line he has the ability to take a small gain and make it a big one (look at the WR screen play in his 1st season against the packers for reference).

The following represents the top TE's highest average YAC in their career.

Vernon Davis - 8.2 in 2008 and 6.4 in 2006 (2007 was excluded because Hos just sucked as an OC).
Tony Gonzalez - 4.93
Antonio Gates - 5.63
Cris Cooley - 7.35
Jason Whitten - 4.4
Dallas Clark - 8.52 (this is the year Indy had three 1,000 yard receivers and Payton had 49 TD's, it is fair to say Dallas Clark was the person opposing teams were least afraid of). Excluding that season his best year was 6.66.

Football is about mismatches. VD is the ultimate Mismatch. He suffered from MM who doesnt use TE's and Hos who sucked. VD Drops ball = dont throw it deep.
VD isnt a good route runner = dont give him deep routes.

Jimmy Raye gets this (I hope), we are dangerous as hell. If he pulls a dumb ass and makes us take shots down field with VD we will be screwed by Mr. Lead Hands. Oh yeah and dont let him have the ball on crucial 3rd downs he just doesnt convert. We need Bear on 3rd down as a possession TE and VD to scare the s**t of OC's on 1st and 2nd.

Vernon Davis lead all non-running backs with a YAC of 8.2 in 2008. The closest receiver was Bernard Berrian at 6.83 YAC. This translates into 71% of VD's 11.5 receiving average comes with the ball in his hands. That is impressive. Based on this he is just as explosive as a RB with the ball in his hands. The closest receiver is Bernard Berrian who ranked 20th overall in average YAC.

Vernon Davis' issue seems to be his ability to convert targeted passes into 1st downs. He only converted 1st downs on 29% of all passes he was the targeted, compared to an average of 41% for all other tight ends listed.

He did catch 62% of passes he was targeted on which is comparable to Tony Gonzalez (targeted 3X as much as Vernon), but well short of the 75% converted by Chris Cooley.

What this tells me is Vernon should never get the ball on 3rd down as he is not reliable. However, on 1st and 2nd down close to the line of scrimmage their might not be a better TE. His explosiveness is just as evident as his lack of deep receiving skills. If we use him close to the line he has the ability to take a small gain and make it a big one (look at the WR screen play in his 1st season against the packers for reference).

The following represents the top TE's highest average YAC in their career.

Vernon Davis - 8.2 in 2008 and 6.4 in 2006 (2007 was excluded because Hos just sucked as an OC).
Tony Gonzalez - 4.93
Antonio Gates - 5.63
Cris Cooley - 7.35
Jason Whitten - 4.4
Dallas Clark - 8.52 (this is the year Indy had three 1,000 yard receivers and Payton had 49 TD's, it is fair to say Dallas Clark was the person opposing teams were least afraid of). Excluding that season his best year was 6.66.

Football is about mismatches. VD is the ultimate Mismatch. He suffered from MM who doesnt use TE's and Hos who sucked. VD Drops ball = dont throw it deep.
VD isnt a good route runner = dont give him deep routes.

Jimmy Raye gets this (I hope), we are dangerous as hell. If he pulls a dumb ass and makes us take shots down field with VD we will be screwed by Mr. Lead Hands. Oh yeah and dont let him have the ball on crucial 3rd downs he just doesnt convert. We need Bear on 3rd down as a possession TE and VD to scare the s**t of OC's on 1st and 2nd.

Where's the stats that show TE screens is ATLEAST 50% of his catches. So of course he'll have more YAC.

How much YAC does he get on regular catches? His lack of explosiveness/production on regular routes seems to consistantly go unnoticed around here. We'd have to run 7 TE screens a game for him to be anything.

I have wondered why Davis has never been part of the Forty Niner offense as a pass catcher. He has dropped some passes, but maybe an article best explains the mystery. It said, no I have no link, that he has trouble recognizing coverage and can't adjust his route running. That's the only explanation I ever heard about the lack of pass attempts to him. You'd think that whatever the problem, and I believe it's mental and not physical, that the coaching staff could fix it after all these years. If Davis doesn't have a break out year THIS season, he'll never have it. With Nolan as head coach AND a different O.C. every year could also have an impact too on his use.

Originally posted by Socal49erFan:The following represents the top TE's highest average YAC in their career.

Vernon Davis - 8.2 in 2008 and 6.4 in 2006 (2007 was excluded because Hos just sucked as an OC).
Tony Gonzalez - 4.93
Antonio Gates - 5.63
Cris Cooley - 7.35
Jason Whitten - 4.4
Dallas Clark - 8.52 (this is the year Indy had three 1,000 yard receivers and Payton had 49 TD's, it is fair to say Dallas Clark was the person opposing teams were least afraid of). Excluding that season his best year was 6.66.

The post uses stats to show we have an unusually explosive player at the TE position when he has the ball in his hands.

Lack of route running ability and receiving skills are correctable issues that he can improved on with consistent coaching. Dude came out as a Jr, he is only 25 and going on his 4th season. Their is room to improve on his receiving skills. But with all the crap he cant do he still is the most explosive non RB in the league according to his YAC (what the post is about).

If you want a 1st down dont throw it to VD as he currently is not clutch. However, on 1st and second down you want to get a little something out of nothing then create schemes to get him the ball where he can be effective. Isnt that what a coaches job is. Why blame the player for being used improperly by the coaching staff. Read any Article about Jimmy Raye and the players seem somewhat surprised to have a coordinator plan the game around their strengths. The other A holes were trying to make the players fit their scheme

Hos' schemes sucked and MM wanted a blocker/253 lb deep threat (go figure). If you watch him in college he wasnt thrown many bombs because he wouldnt have caught them. He came in as WR and was converted to TE for a reason.

Practice and dedication to success can turn weaknesses into strengths.

Originally posted by Socal49erFan:The following represents the top TE's highest average YAC in their career.

Vernon Davis - 8.2 in 2008 and 6.4 in 2006 (2007 was excluded because Hos just sucked as an OC).
Tony Gonzalez - 4.93
Antonio Gates - 5.63
Cris Cooley - 7.35
Jason Whitten - 4.4
Dallas Clark - 8.52 (this is the year Indy had three 1,000 yard receivers and Payton had 49 TD's, it is fair to say Dallas Clark was the person opposing teams were least afraid of). Excluding that season his best year was 6.66.

lol! yeah, just throw that year out.

Just like we are throwing out the Lakers so called championship this year

Originally posted by Socal49erFan:The following represents the top TE's highest average YAC in their career.

Vernon Davis - 8.2 in 2008 and 6.4 in 2006 (2007 was excluded because Hos just sucked as an OC).
Tony Gonzalez - 4.93
Antonio Gates - 5.63
Cris Cooley - 7.35
Jason Whitten - 4.4
Dallas Clark - 8.52 (this is the year Indy had three 1,000 yard receivers and Payton had 49 TD's, it is fair to say Dallas Clark was the person opposing teams were least afraid of). Excluding that season his best year was 6.66.

lol! yeah, just throw that year out.

Just like we are throwing out the Lakers so called championship this year

You can throw out the championship and every game they played up until the final game.
Have you ever watched an NBA game? Can you honestly tell me you were satisfied with the way any of the games you saw were reffed? It is easy to win if everytime you look at the hoop they call foul (Kobe, Lebron and D Wade). Imagine if VD got PI calls every time he was targeted, no matter if he caught the ball or not. We would win the Superbowl and VD would have no receptions.

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